Creating a Flexible Workplace
Lori K. Long, Ph.D.  Class One  Employee and Labor
Relations  2008
Learning Objectives
• Identify the environmental, societal and
demographic trends that are causing an increased
demand for flexible work options.
• Understand how flexible work options can benefit an
organization and support an organization's strategy.
Learning Objectives, cont.
• Identify flexible work options and other employee
policies, programs and benefits employers can offer
to support a flexible workplace.
• Understand the process of designing and
implementing flexible work options.
Class Activity
Why do we need flexibility?
Growing Demand
• Role of technology
> Communication
> Information access
• Generational priorities
> Baby Boomers
> Generation Y
The Business Case for Flexibility
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Increases productivity
Improves retention
Helps meet diversity goals
Aligns with social responsibility
Increased Productivity
• A meta-analysis of 31 studies on flexible work found
that flexible schedules increased productivity and
reduced absenteeism.
• 39 percent of employees with flexible work
arrangements reported increased loyalty and a
willingness to work harder.
• Approximately one-third of managers said their work
group was more productive because it included
employees who used flexible work arrangements.
Productivity – Organization Examples
• Flexible work options
> Merck, Unilever, Bank of Montreal, Starbucks, and
Baxter International
• Telework program
> Cisco
• Flexible work arrangements
> McGraw-Hill
• Workplace flexibility
> Capital One
Improved Retention
• A Catalyst study found a strong correlation between
a positive work/life culture and employee intent to
stay at the organization.
• 73 percent of employees with high availability of
flexible work arrangements say they would stay for
at least another year.
Retention – Organization Examples
• Best Buy: 90 percent reduction in employee
turnover.
• Deloitte: $41.5 million savings in turnover costs.
• Aflac: Employee retention improved from 87 percent
to 94 percent.
Meet Diversity Goals
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Gender
Age
Disability
Culture/religion
Social Responsibility
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Reduces commuters
Supports families
Supports the community
Encourages ethical behavior
Class Wrap-up
• There are many reasons why flexible work is a good
business decision.
• Before implementing flexible work options,
employers should:
> Understand flexible work options (Class Two).
> Determine the goals of their initiative and select the
right options for their employees (Class Three).
Creating a Flexible Workplace
Class Two
Review Class One
• Demand for flexible work is increasing due to
demographic and societal changes.
• Flexible work options increase employee
productivity and retention; reduce absenteeism;
support diversity goals; and align with social
responsibility efforts.
Learning Objective
• Know the existing flexible work options as well as
other employee policies, programs and benefits
employers can offer to support a flexible workplace.
Flexible Work Options
• Categories:
> Alternate schedules
> Reduced-hour alternatives
> Telecommuting
Alternate Schedules
• Flextime
• Flexible schedule
• Compressed workweek
Reduced-Hour Alternatives
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Part-time work
Job sharing
Contract work
Seasonal work
Telecommuting
• Full-time
• Partial week
• On occasion
Beyond Schedules
• Other programs, policies and benefits can support
work/life balance.
• Such programs and policies build a flexible culture.
Class Activity
Benefits of Work/Life Balance Initiatives
Class Wrap-up
• Before selecting the flexible work options, an
employer should consider:
> Employee feedback
> Nature of work
> Phased implementation
Creating a Flexible Workplace
Class Three
Review Class Two
• Many flexible work options exist, such as reducedhour and alternate work schedules.
• Employers can provide a variety of programs and
benefits to support a flexible work environment.
Learning Objective
• Learn how to design and implement flexible work
options.
Organizational Barriers
• Corporate culture
• Opposing policies
• Lack of understanding by managers
Planning for Flexible Work
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Research to build a business case
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Outside research
Determine internal goals
Involve employees
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Surveys
Focus groups
Exit interview data
Flexible Work Policies
• Simple is better.
• Ask employees to submit a written proposal.
• Consider how other benefits may be affected.
Resources
• Management training
> How to determine who can participate.
> How to measure performance outcomes.
• Employee support
> How to write the proposal.
> Coaching on how to work with flexibility.
> Networking opportunities.
Evaluating the Initiative
• Identify any issues and make any changes to
improve the program.
• Justify the investment.
• Build support for future programs.
Class Activity
Measuring Effectiveness
Module Wrap-up
• Creative employees and employers will continue to
find flexible ways to work.
• Flexible work initiatives will likely become
organizational “must-haves” as more employers and
employees discover the benefits of flexible work.